The influence of workplace Confucian culture on employees’ organizational commitment through the modelling role of moral identities

Abstract

PurposeThis article aims to provide a theoretical unifying framework for workplace Confucian culture and employees’ organizational commitment (OC) through the modelling role of moral identities. The context is education in Vietnam.Design/methodology/approachBased on employees’ OC theory, a theoretical model was built. Administrative staff and teachers were asked to participate in the study with the assistance of preschool educational institutions in Vietnam. A survey was performed, and data from 421 participants were collected. The moderated structural equation technique was used to test hypotheses.FindingsThe study has demonstrated the positive impact of workplace Confucian culture applications on employees’ perceptions and participation in corporate social responsibility (CSR). The study also confirms the positive impact of employees’ perceptions and participation in CSR. In addition, another conclusion is the moderating effect of moral values on the relationship between workplace Confucian culture and aspects of CSR.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focuses on Confucian-culture employees in workplaces, suggesting that their perception of CSR may differ from those from other backgrounds. The authors then plan to state the comparison in further research. The main finding of the study is that WCC and CSR affect employee OC, but there are other factors that could be influenced by WCC and CSR. Future research should explore these factors to improve the current model.Practical implicationsConfucian ideology has been constructed and developed for a long time, but this study has examined its practical implications for favourably effecting human behaviour, thereby demonstrating its potential in organizational culture and practical application.Social implicationsThis theoretical framework can be profitably used in educational organizations.Originality/valueThe study adds to the body of research on OC in two ways. The first way is to explain how a beneficial organizational factor – the Confucian workplace culture – contributes to employees’ OC. The second way involves examining the effects of moral identity on participation and perception of CSR.